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Published on:
March 21, 2023
By
Harshini

Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme

The Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme is a school meal program in India launched by the government to provide free, nutritious meals to school children and improve their enrollment, attendance, and health. The scheme was launched in 1995 and has since been implemented in government and government-aided primary and upper primary schools across India.

Under the MDM Scheme, a cooked meal, typically including rice or roti, dal, vegetables, and sometimes a sweet, is served to all children enrolled in classes 1 to 8 in eligible schools. The meal is typically served once a day, usually at lunchtime. The scheme is funded by the government of India and implemented by the state governments. The cooking and serving of the meals is typically done by the school staff or by a local community organization, such as a Self-Help Group.

The MDM Scheme is monitored by the state and central governments, as well as by NGOs and other organizations, to ensure the quality of the food and the proper implementation of the scheme. The scheme has been successful in improving enrollment, attendance, and health among school children, and is widely regarded as one of the most important and successful programs for improving education and nutrition in India.

Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme Benefits

The Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme provides several key benefits to school children and the wider community, including:

1. Improved nutrition: The scheme provides school children with a balanced and nutritious meal during the school day, helping to improve their health and nutrition and reducing the risk of malnutrition and other health problems.

2. Increased enrollment, attendance, and retention: By providing a free meal to school children, the MDM Scheme has been shown to increase enrollment, attendance, and retention in schools, especially among disadvantaged and marginalized children.

3. Improved academic performance: By improving the health and nutrition of school children, the MDM Scheme has been shown to improve their academic performance and help them learn and perform better in school.

4. Reduced inequalities: By providing a free meal to all children in eligible schools, regardless of their family income or background, the MDM Scheme helps to reduce inequalities in access to education and nutrition and promote social equality.

5. Stimulated local economies: By providing work for local cooks and suppliers, the MDM Scheme helps to stimulate local economies and create employment opportunities.

These are some of the key benefits of the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme. By providing free, nutritious meals to school children, the scheme supports the development of a healthy and educated population and contributes to the economic and social development of India.

Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme Objectives

The Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme has several main objectives, including:

1. Improving enrollment, attendance, and retention in schools: By providing a free, nutritious meal to school children, the MDM Scheme aims to improve enrollment, attendance, and retention in schools, especially among disadvantaged and marginalized children.

2. Improving child nutrition: The MDM Scheme aims to improve the nutritional status of school children by providing them with a balanced and nutritious meal during the school day.

3. Promoting social equality: By providing a free meal to all children in eligible schools, regardless of their family income or background, the MDM Scheme aims to promote social equality and reduce disparities in access to education and nutrition.

4. Supporting education: By improving the health and nutrition of school children, the MDM Scheme aims to support education and help children learn and perform better in school.

5. Stimulating local economies: By providing work for local cooks and suppliers, the MDM Scheme aims to stimulate local economies and create employment opportunities.

These are some of the main objectives of the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme. By providing free, nutritious meals to school children, the scheme aims to improve education and nutrition in India and support the development of a healthy and educated population.

Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme Eligibility

The Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme is available to all government and government-aided primary and upper primary schools in India. Children enrolled in classes 1 to 8 in these schools are eligible to receive a free, nutritious meal under the scheme.

The eligibility criteria for the MDM Scheme are determined by the government of India and implemented by the state governments. In general, the scheme is open to all children enrolled in eligible schools, regardless of their family income or background.

It is important to note that the eligibility criteria for the MDM Scheme may vary from state to state and may be subject to change. For the most up-to-date information on the eligibility criteria for the scheme, it is advisable to check the official website of the Ministry of Education in India or to contact the state education department.

FAQs

1. What is the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme?

The Mid-Day Meal Scheme is a school meal program in India launched by the government to provide free, nutritious meals to school children and improve their enrollment, attendance, and health.

2. Who is eligible for the MDM Scheme?

All government and government-aided primary and upper primary schools in India are eligible for the MDM Scheme. Children enrolled in classes 1 to 8 in these schools are eligible to receive a free meal.

3. What kind of meal is provided under the MDM Scheme?

The MDM Scheme provides a meal of cooked food, typically including rice or roti, dal, vegetables, and sometimes a sweet. The meal must meet certain nutritional standards set by the government.

4. How often is the meal served under the MDM Scheme?

The meal is typically served once a day, usually at lunchtime, to all children in the eligible schools.

5. How is the MDM Scheme funded?

The MDM Scheme is funded by the government of India and implemented by the state governments.

6. Who is responsible for cooking and serving the meals under the MDM Scheme?

The cooking and serving of the meals is typically done by the school staff or by a local community organization, such as a Self-Help Group.

7. Is there any monitoring of the MDM Scheme?

Yes, the MDM Scheme is monitored by the state and central governments, as well as by NGOs and other organizations. Regular monitoring is done to ensure the quality of the food and the proper implementation of the scheme.

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Updated on:
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